Roman Empire Historical Facts

Were Christians Really Fed to the Lions in Ancient Rome?

What is the truth behind the phrase: “Christians to the lions?”

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Saturnalia: The Roman Festival that Inspired the Spirit of Christmas

Was Saturnalia of the ancient Romans what Christmas is for us today? The two have a lot in common. How was Saturnalia celebrated?

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Foundations of Justice: Rome’s Twelve Tables

Traditions or laws? Lex duodecim tabularum was the legislation that stood at the foundation of Roman law.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

A Sail Above the Sand: Did the Colosseum Really Have a Retractable Roof?

Imagine 50,000 Romans seated in the blazing summer sun, cheering gladiators while the midday heat bears down on the mighty Colosseum. Yet, their faces are shaded, cooled by a system so advanced that even modern engineers marvel at its ingenuity. How did the Romans achieve this?

Roman Empire Historical Facts

What was the Severan Marble Plan?

In the ruins of an ancient city, amidst temples and columns long abandoned, lied the shattered remains of something truly extraordinary.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Antinous and Hadrian: Love, Devotion, or Divine Ambition?

In the shadowy chronicles of Roman history, there is a relationship that have sparked intrigue and questions; that between Emperor Hadrian and the enigmatic Antinous.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

The Imperial Auction: Fact or Fiction? Unraveling the Reign of Didius Julianus

In the shadowed corridors of Roman history, Marcus Didius Julianus stands as one enigmatic figure to wear the imperial purple.

Roman Empire Anecdotes

The Empire of Diversity: Romans Beyond Rome

Beyond the marble walls of the Eternal City, the Roman Empire thrived on its ability to weave diverse cultures into a unified whole.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Dining with Domitian and the Enigma of Domitian’s Black Dinner

What was like dining with the emperor? What is the famous black dinner of Domitian? What was the meaning behind the black decoration and the macabre settings?

Roman Empire Anecdotes

The Continence of Scipio: A Legacy of Clemency in Roman History and Art

The story of how Scipio Africanus came to be a protagonist in numerous pieces of art, is the perfect how-to, in building a persona that lasts through the ages.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Whispers Through Marble: The Enigmatic Acoustics of Herodes Atticus Odeon

Built for acoustic delight, The Odeon of Herodes Atticus still offers moments of unforgettable experiences for the audiences that flood its premises to enjoy various spectacles in Athens.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Emperor Domitian: Tyrant or Reformer?

Emperor Domitian, who ruled Rome from 81 to 96 CE, is one of the most polarizing figures of the Roman Empire. Dismissed by many ancient writers as a tyrant and remembered for his strained relationship with the Senate, Domitian’s legacy is one of complexity and contradiction.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

What was a Tribune in Ancient Rome?

Tribune was the title of various elected officials in Ancient Rome, but since the term is a bit convoluted and lost in time, the answer to the question is not a simple one.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

The Tragic Philosopher: Seneca the Younger’s Journey Through Stoicism and Politics

Seneca the Younger, a towering figure of the Roman intellectual world, lived a life filled with paradoxes.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

From Soldier to Sovereign: The Rise and Reign of Vespasian

The final ruler during the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian established the Flavian dynasty, which governed the Roman Empire for 27 years.

Roman Empire Anecdotes

Alexander the Great in Roman Thought: Hero, Rival, and Legend

How did the Romans see Alexander the Great? Were they influenced? What did they think about his personality? His military accomplishments? His life?